System and Method for Optimal Food Cooking or Heating Operations

ABSTRACT

A system and method for optimal cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring using continuous and adaptive machine learning enabling user specific and customizable optimizable, specific, and customizable cooking operations, and identification of pre-hazardous and user specific non-optimal conditions that may arise during cooking operations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a systemand method for optimal cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring.More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to asystem and method for optimal cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring using continuous and adaptive machine learning enabling userspecific and customizable optimizable, specific, and customizablecooking operations, and identification of pre-hazardous and userspecific non-optimal conditions that may arise during cookingoperations.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. It may beappreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art that a variety ofintelligent systems and methods for cooking are described in the artquite a few of which are currently available in the market. Thefollowing is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatone system available in the art may include a cooking range that mayinclude a set of apparatus that combine and analyze electronic signalsfrom Hall Effect sensors, current transformer, pyroelectric infraredsensor, ionization chamber smoke sensor, to determine the imminence offire hazard. On determination of the imminence of fire the system mayswitch-OFF the power source to the cooking range after pausing andsounding an alarm long enough to allow a user to intervene. The variouselectronic circuitries are provided with stored charge powers back up toretain memory during power failures. The cooking range may include atimer mode cooking feature that may automate cooking and save power.However, the cooking range may not be designed to interfere with cookingif the situation is safe or the cooking is attended to by a user. Oneother system in the prior art may provide a recipe wand which reads mealplans and recipes for a recipe book, and with data about the applianceand one or more cycles of operation, sends data about a consumable tothe appliance to automatically create and selectively commence a cycleof operation of the consumable according to the recipe book. Anothersystem in the prior art may provide a cooking appliance that may includeone or more heating elements; a cooking chamber; and a camera attachedto the interior of the chamber. The cooking chamber may prevent anyvisible light from escaping the chamber (e.g., the cooking chamber iswindowless), the heating elements are controlled by a computing devicein the cooking appliance, and the output of the camera may be used toadjust heating pattern of the heating elements. There are roboticcooking kitchens inventions which comprises of methods, computer programproducts, and computer systems for instructing a robot to prepare a fooddish by replacing the human chefs' movements and actions. In view of theforegoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfectand leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated adaptive auto learning system forcooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture for integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary integrated adaptive auto learning andtraining system of the integrated adaptive auto learning system of FIG.1 for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow chart of a method for an integratedadaptive auto learning system for cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary lay out of an integrated adaptive autolearning system for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary portion of an integrated adaptive autolearning system for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary portion of an integrated adaptive autolearning system for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary portion of an integrated adaptive autolearning system for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring for a parent inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring for a chef inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring for a student inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring for the elderlyin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a process of an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring for new cooks inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary client/server systemwhich may be used by an exemplary web-enabled/networked embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram depicting a conventionalclient/server communication system.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settled law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognized in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of Claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicant submits that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”include the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache . . ..” Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from includingadditional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thedisclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either ofthe other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwise explicitlyrecited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of”or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, and thus, for thepurposes of claim support and construction for “consisting of” formatclaims, such replacements operate to create yet other alternativeembodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elements recited in theoriginal “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of all other elements.

Moreover, any claim limitation phrased in functional limitation termscovered by 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) which has a preambleinvoking the closed terms “consisting of,” or “consisting essentiallyof,” should be understood to mean that the corresponding structure(s)disclosed herein define the exact metes and bounds of what the soclaimed invention embodiment(s) consists of, or consisting essentiallyof, to the exclusion of any other elements which do not materiallyaffect the intended purpose of the so claimed embodiment(s).

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.Moreover, it is understood that any system components described or namedin any embodiment or claimed herein may be grouped or sub-grouped (andaccordingly implicitly renamed) in any combination or sub-combination asthose skilled in the art can imagine as suitable for the particularapplication, and still be within the scope and spirit of the claimedembodiments of the present invention. For an example of what this means,if the invention was a controller of a motor and a valve and theembodiments and claims articulated those components as being separatelygrouped and connected, applying the foregoing would mean that such aninvention and claims would also implicitly cover the valve being groupedinside the motor and the controller being a remote controller with nodirect physical connection to the motor or internalized valve, as suchthe claimed invention is contemplated to cover all ways of groupingand/or adding of intermediate components or systems that stillsubstantially achieve the intended result of the invention.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

A “computer” may refer to one or more apparatus and/or one or moresystems that are capable of accepting a structured input, processing thestructured input according to prescribed rules, and producing results ofthe processing as output. Examples of a computer may include: acomputer; a stationary and/or portable computer; a computer having asingle processor, multiple processors, or multi-core processors, whichmay operate in parallel and/or not in parallel; a general purposecomputer; a supercomputer; a mainframe; a super mini-computer; amini-computer; a workstation; a micro-computer; a server; a client; aninteractive television; a web appliance; a telecommunications devicewith internet access; a hybrid combination of a computer and aninteractive television; a portable computer; a tablet personal computer(PC); a personal digital assistant (PDA); a portable telephone;application-specific hardware to emulate a computer and/or software,such as, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), an application specific instruction-set processor(ASIP), a chip, chips, a system on a chip, or a chip set; a dataacquisition device; an optical computer; a quantum computer; abiological computer; and generally, an apparatus that may accept data,process data according to one or more stored software programs, generateresults, and typically include input, output, storage, arithmetic,logic, and control units.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that where appropriate, someembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in network computingenvironments with many types of computer system configurations,including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Whereappropriate, embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by local and remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, orby a combination thereof) through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

“Software” may refer to prescribed rules to operate a computer. Examplesof software may include: code segments in one or more computer-readablelanguages; graphical and or/textual instructions; applets; pre-compiledcode; interpreted code; compiled code; and computer programs.

The example embodiments described herein can be implemented in anoperating environment comprising computer-executable instructions (e.g.,software) installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination ofsoftware and hardware. The computer-executable instructions can bewritten in a computer programming language or can be embodied infirmware logic. If written in a programming language conforming to arecognized standard, such instructions can be executed on a variety ofhardware platforms and for interfaces to a variety of operating systems.Although not limited thereto, computer software program code forcarrying out operations for aspects of the present invention can bewritten in any combination of one or more suitable programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming languages and/orconventional procedural programming languages, and/or programminglanguages such as, for example, Hyper text Markup Language (HTML),Dynamic HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Extensible StylesheetLanguage (XSL), Document Style Semantics and Specification Language(DSSSL), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Synchronized MultimediaIntegration Language (SMIL), Wireless Markup Language (WML), Java™,Jini™, C, C++, Smalltalk, Perl, UNIX Shell, Visual Basic or Visual BasicScript, Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML), ColdFusion™ or othercompilers, assemblers, interpreters or other computer languages orplatforms.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object-oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

A network is a collection of links and nodes (e.g., multiple computersand/or other devices connected together) arranged so that informationmay be passed from one part of the network to another over multiplelinks and through various nodes. Examples of networks include theInternet, the public switched telephone network, the global Telexnetwork, computer networks (e.g., an intranet, an extranet, a local-areanetwork, or a wide-area network), wired networks, and wireless networks.

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers and computer networksarranged to allow the easy and robust exchange of information betweencomputer users. Hundreds of millions of people around the world haveaccess to computers connected to the Internet via Internet ServiceProviders (ISPs). Content providers (e.g., website owners or operators)place multimedia information (e.g., text, graphics, audio, video,animation, and other forms of data) at specific locations on theInternet referred to as webpages. Websites comprise a collection ofconnected, or otherwise related, webpages. The combination of all thewebsites and their corresponding webpages on the Internet is generallyknown as the World Wide Web (WWW) or simply the Web.

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, whichcomprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the likemay be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically, a processor(e.g., a microprocessor) will receive instructions from a memory or likedevice, and execute those instructions, thereby performing a processdefined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement suchmethods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety ofknown media.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device/article (whether or not theycooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly,where more than one device or article is described herein (whether ornot they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a singledevice/article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly describedas having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of thepresent invention need not include the device itself.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) which may beread by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may takemany forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile mediainclude dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutesthe main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wireand fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupledto the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acousticwaves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, removable media, flash memory, a“memory stick”, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asBluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, (ii) other memory structures besidesdatabases may be readily employed. Any schematic illustrations andaccompanying descriptions of any sample databases presented herein areexemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. Anynumber of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested bythe tables shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. Further, despite any depiction of thedatabases as tables, an object-based model could be used to store andmanipulate the data types of the present invention and likewise, objectmethods or behaviors can be used to implement the processes of thepresent invention.

A “computer system” may refer to a system having one or more computers,where each computer may include a computer-readable medium embodyingsoftware to operate the computer or one or more of its components.Examples of a computer system may include: a distributed computer systemfor processing information via computer systems linked by a network; twoor more computer systems connected together via a network fortransmitting and/or receiving information between the computer systems;a computer system including two or more processors within a singlecomputer; and one or more apparatuses and/or one or more systems thatmay accept data, may process data in accordance with one or more storedsoftware programs, may generate results, and typically may includeinput, output, storage, arithmetic, logic, and control units.

A “network” may refer to a number of computers and associated devicesthat may be connected by communication facilities. A network may involvepermanent connections such as cables or temporary connections such asthose made through telephone or other communication links. A network mayfurther include hard-wired connections (e.g., coaxial cable, twistedpair, optical fiber, waveguides, etc.) and/or wireless connections(e.g., radio frequency waveforms, free-space optical waveforms, acousticwaveforms, etc.). Examples of a network may include: an internet, suchas the Internet; an intranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide areanetwork (WAN); and a combination of networks, such as an internet and anintranet.

As used herein, the “client-side” application should be broadlyconstrued to refer to an application, a page associated with thatapplication, or some other resource or function invoked by a client-siderequest to the application. A “browser” as used herein is not intendedto refer to any specific browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Safari,FireFox, or the like), but should be broadly construed to refer to anyclient-side rendering engine that can access and displayInternet-accessible resources. A “rich” client typically refers to anon-HTTP based client-side application, such as an SSH or CFIS client.Further, while typically the client-server interactions occur usingHTTP, this is not a limitation either. The client server interaction maybe formatted to conform to the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) andtravel over HTTP (over the public Internet), FTP, or any other reliabletransport mechanism (such as IBM® MQSeries® technologies and CORBA, fortransport over an enterprise intranet) may be used. Any application orfunctionality described herein may be implemented as native code, byproviding hooks into another application, by facilitating use of themechanism as a plug-in, by linking to the mechanism, and the like.

Exemplary networks may operate with any of a number of protocols, suchas Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and/orsynchronous optical network (SONET), user datagram protocol (UDP), IEEE802.x, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses forperforming the operations disclosed herein. An apparatus may bespecially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose device selectively activated or reconfigured by aprogram stored in the device.

Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented in one or acombination of hardware, firmware, and software. They may be implementedas instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be readand executed by a computing platform to perform the operations describedherein.

More specifically, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method orcomputer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present inventionmay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that mayall generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or“system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take theform of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

In the following description and claims, the terms “computer programmedium” and “computer readable medium” may be used to generally refer tomedia such as, but not limited to, removable storage drives, a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive, and the like. These computer programproducts may provide software to a computer system. Embodiments of theinvention may be directed to such computer program products.

An algorithm is here, and generally, considered to be a self-consistentsequence of acts or operations leading to a desired result. Theseinclude physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, thoughnot necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical ormagnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals asbits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like.It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, and as may be apparent from thefollowing description and claims, it should be appreciated thatthroughout the specification descriptions utilizing terms such as“processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like,refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system,or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transformdata represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within thecomputing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computing system'smemories, registers or other such information storage, transmission ordisplay devices.

Additionally, the phrase “configured to” or “operable for” can includegeneric structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated bysoftware and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processorexecuting software) to operate in a manner that is capable of performingthe task(s) at issue. “Configured to” may also include adapting amanufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) tofabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted toimplement or perform one or more tasks.

In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device orportion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/ormemory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data thatmay be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computing platform” maycomprise one or more processors.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structuresstored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media canbe any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer, including the functional design of any specialpurpose processor as discussed above. By way of example, and notlimitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be usedto carry or store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. When information is transferred or provided over a network oranother communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, orcombination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media.

While a non-transitory computer readable medium includes, but is notlimited to, a hard drive, compact disc, flash memory, volatile memory,random access memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, semiconductorbased memory, phase change memory, optical memory, periodicallyrefreshed memory, and the like; the non-transitory computer readablemedium, however, does not include a pure transitory signal per se; i.e.,where the medium itself is transitory.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to relate to asystem and method for optimal cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring. More particularly the system and method disclosed hereinrelate to a system and method for optimal cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring using continuous and adaptive machine learningenabling user specific and customizable optimizable, specific, andcustomizable cooking operations, and identification of pre-hazardous anduser specific non-optimal conditions that may arise during cookingoperations. Accordingly, in one embodiment, is provided a user focusedsystem and method for an optimal cooking operation by effectivecombination of human intervention through machine-based assistance, andcomputing and sensor based automated notifications. The system andmethod may in one embodiment, employ a pre-configured library ofapplicable configurations for available recipes and notify a user on anas needed basis about a combination of factors including, but notlimited to, overall cooking time duration in increments for each/set ofingredients, real time intelligence and correlation of “cooking state”change of each /most of the ingredients vis-à-vis optimal state (colordetermination and correlation with texture) as stored in database andinterpreted by the trained algorithm per ingredient/combination ofingredients, and the like. The system and method disclosed herein may incertain embodiments employ an array of sensors and adapters, forexample, a kitchen appliance knob position indicator to sense the datain the kitchen environment to develop contextual awareness including,but not limited to, the type of food, the size of the utensil, thevolume and/or weight of the food, and burn rate based on the position ofthe burner knob, and the like. The system and method disclosed hereinmay in certain embodiments, employ an array of computing and storagedevices to interpret the cooking operations data to match up the currentcooking/heating operation with available pre-configured and stored datato be able to notify users through a unified communications hub or anexisting third-party communication channel. The system and methoddisclosed herein may in certain embodiments employ an array of computingand storage devices to interpret the data in real-time through acombination of computer processing and adaptive artificial intelligencein the form of continuously trained algorithms to notify users through aunified communications hub or an existing third-party communicationchannel. The system and method disclosed herein in certain embodimentsmay enable users to use pre-configured data and also save or updatecooking operation settings for future purposes and in an optionalcooking community library. The system and method disclosed herein incertain embodiments may enable users to share data on their optimalcooking operations/preference settings with a cooking community formedby users including, but not limited to, recipes, volume and weight ofingredients, burner intensity, type and volume of utensils, and thelike.

Herein, the term or terms cooking operation may include but not limitedto a variety of cooking operations like dry heat cooking, for example,broiling, grilling, roasting, baking, sautéing, shallow frying, deepfrying, etc.; moist heat cooking, for example, poaching, simmering,boiling, steaming, etc.; and combination cooking, for example, braising,stewing, alternating heating and cooling operation e.g. to create customyogurt the milk has to be heated and cooled down to a particulartemperature for the cultures to work properly. Further, in large scalecommercial operations such as hotels and cafeterias; the system willhave the capability to notify the chef/s who prepare multiple dishes formultiple people having multiple preferences (in multiple burners) suchas rare, medium rare, medium and well cooked steak at different times toensure optimal cooking. This will also allow the chef/s to multitasksuch as preparing the sauce, a side dish or salad. The alert sent foreach user will alert the chef to turn over the beef steaks at differenttimes for different users.

Referring to FIG. 1, is illustrated an integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly,FIG. 1 illustrates various components of the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 including at least one sensor, at least onereceiver, a communication device, a computing device, and a database(storage). The integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 mayproactively engage or react when a receiver or a combination of datareceived from at least one sensor component may receive a signal for acooking operation or a pre-hazardous or a non optimal or an emergencycondition is detected. An action on an external equipment 105, forexample, a cooking appliance with the knob markers, or action taken viaa smart device, or action taken on a kitchen equipment, from which theintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100 senses a cooking/heatingoperation. Core components, for example, the sensor inputs may beincluded in a physical encasement 110. It may be appreciated by a personwith ordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that the physical encasement neednot include all the components in one physical deployment of theintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100. One of the core componentsincludes a sensor 115. In various embodiments, the sensors may includebut may not be limited to a heat sensor to detect temperature or atemperature gradient; a gas sensor to detect gas concentration ordifferent types of gases for example carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxidegas, hydrogen sulfide gas, and the like gases emanating in a cookingenvironment; a motion detection sensor; a weight sensor; imaging sensor,odor sensor with a chemical analyzer based on odor, and the like. Thecore components 110 may also include a image receiver which may collectaudio visual input, including but not limited to, audio and video andphotographic images of activities relating to a cooking operation, forexample, a vessel or a kitchen cookware, ingredients used for cooking,state of the food, position of controls of the kitchen equipment, forexample, a knob of a cooking range with reference to a markingindicating the position of the control, for example, high, low medium,and the like; clicking of the knob, for example, to start the gas flowor to start and light the gas flow, sound of placing a vessel or a fooditem on a cooking appliance, and the like. State of the food means thechemical state of the food that changes with application of heat, water,spices amongst other things. Example—sensing (and alerting the user)that the food is getting burnt through sensing browning/blackening offood, alerting the user that the steak is cooked to a medium rare statebased on the color of the steak, sensing the optimal texture forchewing—e.g. Chicken , Shrimp, Vegetables—through color change (gradientchange) of the ingredients, also factoring in color impact of thespices. Braising, simmering, roasting, grilling is accompanied bydifferent degrees of color and texture changes through the time ofcooking, intensity of heat, type of vessels and other factors.Prediction of optimal state through color, and also including the impactof added ingredients on the color requires combination of algorithms andmodels included but not limited to Computer Vision and Regressionalgorithms. In another category of food, the amount of liquid is alsokey to determine the state of the food, e.g. simmering, stew andJambalaya (mix of vegetables, meat and sauces).

The core components may also include a computing device 125. Thecomputing device 125 may include a processor for processing pre-existingdata in the database (storage) as well as current data being gatheredfrom the sensors and receivers. In one embodiment, the processor maycompare past stored cooking operation data to interpret and deduct auser's optimal cooking operation timing for various kinds of food. Incertain embodiments the processor may process the alarm when a triggervalue is reached and/or exceeded (i.e. “=/> than an alert triggervalue”). The storage in the computing device may store pre-fed data andcontinue storing current data being gathered from the sensors andreceivers during current cooking operations. Based on the functionalitymentioned within the description of the computing device 125;notification may be continuously driven to a communication hub 130 basedon the configured settings and preferences of the user.

The communications hub 130, i.e., a controller, may be in workingcommunication with the computing device 125 and a user configured userinput device 140, 145 and may be responsible for communicating betweenthe computing device 115 and the user input devices 140, 145, forexample, a smart device or home/central alarm system, and the like. Inan exemplary embodiment, such a working communication may include, butnot be limited to, notification of completion of pre-set time of stepsduring a cooking operation.

The core component 110 may also include a user input panel, for example,a user console, a remote or smart app on a smart device, and the likewithin the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 that may enableswitching on/off of different functionalities of the integrated adaptiveauto learning system 100, for example, monitoring, triggered alarms,change in pre-set cooking time, and the like.

As mentioned herein above, the communications hub 130 may be in workingcommunication with the user inputs devices 140, for example—e.g.computers, mobile and/or smart devices or digital assistants Google®Nest, Amazon® Alexa, or any other remote control devices for interactingwith the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 to command andtrigger the switching on/off of different functionalities of theintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100 such as monitoring,triggered alarms , change in pre-set cooking time, and the like. Otheruser input devices 145, for example an existing central alarm system,may also be in working communication with the communications hub 130,and be accordingly configured to interact with the integrated adaptiveauto learning system 100. In one embodiment, the integrated adaptiveauto learning system 100 may also include a central cloud computingplatform 150, in the core components 110, for centralized computing andstorage. The central cloud computing platform 150 may include thecentral repository for storing the latest snapshot of the trainedintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100 for users for backups aswell as for performing certain functions, for example, image recognitionand pattern matching for the state of the cooking/heating state/phase.It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the local computing device may allow for faster storage and alsoenable user preference about place of storing audio/visual inputgathered from the devices.

Referring to FIG. 2 is illustrated an architecture 200 for an integratedadaptive auto learning system for cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Anauto learning system architecture 200 may comprise a computing system212. The computing system 212 includes a visual attributes capturemodule 216, a voice attributes capture module 218, a physical attributescapture module 220, a sensor module 222, a database module 221, aninformation processing, formatting, and organizing module 224, acommunication module 226, a display module 228, an interface module 230,and a heuristic module 232. The visual attributes capture module 216,may have a means of capturing an image (still and moving image), suchas, without limitation, a camera 114 or virtually any camera, of anenvironment or external input devices 210. The voice attributes capturemodule 218, may have a means of capturing the voice, such as, withoutlimitation, a voice recorder 118 or virtually any voice recorder, of theenvironment or external input devices 210. The user movement attributes,may have a means of capturing and interpreting user movements andactions. For example, once the association is done and a recipe match isset, to cook chicken stew the requirement would be for the user toattend to the cooking/heating operation at various points of elapsedtime during the entire/end to end cooking operations. The user would1^(st) sauté the chicken in butter, add certain vegetables such ascarrots and potatoes, add broth and spices and finally add few othervegetables such as celery at a later stage of cooking. Based on the usermovement (such as addition of water) and other factors such as burn rateof the cooking range; the system can predict and alert the user that itis time to add celery. Also, if the user comes by (without an alert) tocheck on the cooking operation; the system would be able to detect usermovement and can send an alert to the user asking if the next schedulednotification should be delayed since the user already checked on thecooking operation. The physical attributes capture module 220, may havea means of capturing the physical attributes, such as, withoutlimitation, gathers information on the weight, volume offood/ingredients/vessels etc. being used to make a recipe. The sensormodule 222, may have a means of sensing various parameters involved incooking, such as, without limitation temperature, temperature gradient,gas sensors, light sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensor, weightsensors, and the like, either gathers information on the sensedparameters. Information processing, formatting, and organizing module224 may have a means of processing an image, a voice, and the gatheredphysical information and sensor information, such as, withoutlimitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server to executecomputer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitory computer readablemedium for image, voice, physical attributes, and sensor parameterrecognition. A display module 228 may have a means to display to theuser 234 who may be enabled to view the output 236 provided by theintegrated adapting auto learning system various alerts, includingcooking operation alerts, thus enabling the user to take the next courseof action. An interface module 230 may have a processing means such as,without limitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server toexecute computer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitory computerreadable medium for interfacing between the various modules. A heuristicmodule 232 may have a processing means such as, without limitation, aprocessing unit, a computer, or a server to execute computer code and/oralgorithms from a non-transitory computer readable medium for processingthe data/information provided by the data analyzing module and providingpointers to the user based on a self-learning model. It may beappreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, in light of andin accordance with the teachings of the present invention, thatvirtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used to self-learnusing the heuristic module 232. Self-learning algorithms and/or methodsmay include, without limitation, the use of Artificial Intelligence;however, the development of self-learning algorithms is really the newor current state-of-the-art if coupled with smart sensors andelectromechanical systems the opportunities are infinite. The visualrecognition and next best action algorithms for Optimal Cookingoperations and pre-hazardous and hazardous condition monitoring andalerting system may include but not limited to Supervised learning,Unsupervised learning and Reinforcement learning by leveragingassociated algorithms. The Supervised learning algorithms will deliverfor example but not limited to Automatic image classification. Theunsupervised learning algorithms will deliver similarity detection forexample but not limited to identifying a particular recipe based onimage recognition and associating with closest match. The reinforcementlearning will enable better operations through feedback from theenvironment, especially where information is a combination ofquantitative and qualitative values and the environment is notcompletely deterministic because the cooking/kitchen environment isextremely dynamic and hence not completely deterministic, to helpdetermine if the recipe is optimally cooked and prepared as per the userpreferences. Bayesian Networks and Hidden Markov Models usingprobabilistic modeling through direct acyclic graphs, Markov chains, andsequential processes. Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm withapplications such as Gaussian mixture, Principal Component Analysis,Factor Analysis, and Independent Component Analysis for Optimal cookingoperations. Hebbian Learning and Self-Organizing Maps with models likeSanger network and Rubner-Tavan network that can perform a PrincipalComponent Analysis without the input covariance matrix. ConvolutionNeural Networks trained as both Supervised and Unsupervised learningmethods will enable Object Detection, Classification and Identificationfor complex data sets by leveraging past data sets and the compute power(CPU/GPU) in a hybrid cloud network. E.g. Detecting each individualingredient using a Convolution neural network based on past saved datafrom library of images and then using a combination of other algorithms(e.g. regression) to associate with the closest recipe matches forsuggesting to user for selection or confirmation , or in the lack ofresponse of the user, continuing to make the best judgement of theclosest matched recipe and continue to track the progress of the cookingoperation and continuously fine tuning based on past learning and alsounsupervised learning method to augment the user for an ideal andoptimal cooking operation based on tracking the state of the ingredientsand the overall cooking condition of the recipe. A combination ofalgorithms will be deployed to solve multiple use cases in the OptimalCooking operations process. Integrated adaptive auto learning cookingoperation system output 236 may have a processing means such as, withoutlimitation, a processing unit, a computer, or a server to executecomputer code and/or algorithms from a non-transitory computer readablemedium for receiving, storing, and transmitting the information of thecooking operation to the display module 228 of a user device.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that one or more modules may be embodied in a single device. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, all modules except thecommunication module may be embodied in the computing device of theintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations. Thecomputing device of the integrated adaptive auto learning system forcooking operations may be capable of gathering information on thevisual, and vocal attributes of a cooking environment, processing,formatting, and organizing the information, providing a status or alertoutput to the user as required, and enabling the user to take thenecessary action in the cooking process. The information may be relatedor communicated to the user and received by the user using a personalcomputer, laptop device, smart phone device may enable the user totailor the attributes of the cooking information to add, edit, delete,or retain various recipes of the user's choice in the integratedadaptive auto learning system for cooking operations.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize and capture a visual on the visual attributes capture module216 and the information processing, formatting, and organizing module224. Visual recognition algorithms and/or methods may include, withoutlimitation, Bayesian networks, fuzzy logic, neural networks, templatematching, Hidden Markov models, machine learning, data mining, featureextraction and data analysis/statistics, optical character recognition,etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a binarysearch tree may be implemented to extract data from a visual.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize and capture a sound/voice on the voice attributes capturemodule 218 and the information processing, formatting, and organizingmodule 224. Voice recognition algorithms and/or methods may include,without limitation, Bayesian networks, fuzzy logic, neural networks,template matching, Hidden Markov models, machine learning, data mining,feature extraction and data analysis/statistics, optical characterrecognition, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,a binary search tree may be implemented to extract data from a voice.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize and capture mental and physical attributes of the cookingenvironment physical attributes capture module 220 and the informationprocessing, formatting, and organizing module 224. Environmentrecognition algorithms and/or methods may include, without limitationcomputer vision algorithms including deep learning networksexample—convolutional neural networks, feature point extraction,Principal Component Analysis for dimension reduction. Machine LearningAlgorithms such as support vector machines, Naïve Bayes, etc. . . .

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize and capture an environmental attribute on a sensor module 218and the information processing, formatting, and organizing module 224.It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that virtually any algorithm and/or computer code may be used torecognize and capture a sound/voice on the voice attributes capturemodule 218 and the information processing, formatting, and organizingmodule 224. Surround sense recognition algorithms, for example, forsensing heat, gas, and the like and/or methods may include, withoutlimitation, Bayesian networks, fuzzy logic, neural networks, templatematching, Hidden Markov models, machine learning, data mining, featureextraction and data analysis/statistics, optical character recognition,etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a binarysearch tree may be implemented to extract data from a sensoryinformation.

Voice recognition algorithms and/or methods may include, withoutlimitation, Bayesian networks, fuzzy logic, neural networks, templatematching, Hidden Markov models, machine learning, data mining, featureextraction and data analysis/statistics, optical character recognition,etc. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a binarysearch tree may be implemented to extract data from a voice.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that there may be a plurality of the same modules in auto learningsystem architecture 200. A plurality of modules such as, withoutlimitation, visual attributes capture module 216, a voice attributescapture module 218, a physical attributes capture module 220, a sensormodule 222, a database module 221, an information processing,formatting, and organizing module 224, a communication module 226, adisplay module 228, an interface module 230, and a heuristic module 232may be present in auto learning system architecture 200. The pluralityof similar modules may work in parallel or independently to improve thethroughput and/or speed auto learning system architecture 200. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of capture,processing, formatting, and organizing, generation, display, interface,communication, heuristic, and storage modules may be connected to anauto learning system for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoringvia wired and wireless connections to access resources from differentwired and wireless networks. In still another alternative embodiment ofthe present invention, a plurality of similar modules may form asecondary auto learning system capable of seamlessly substituting anerrant module.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that one or more modules may transmit capture information to a techsupport server that is on an accessible network or over the internet. Inan alternative embodiment of the present invention, additional capturedinformation may be sent to a server to alleviate processing load on anauto learning system, for example, if multiple recipes are being cookedor accessed, this may include added features for correction/encryption.This is a part of the core invention, where the architecture supportsboth a local home network where the sensor devices can connect to alocal CPU/GPU combination for EDGE based computing along with a cloudnetwork connection which will allow much better performance andreliability along with scale and storage and for continuous fine tuningof the algorithms and analysis of performance.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that any module in auto learning system architecture 200 may performdata manipulation. Data manipulation such as, but not limited to,compression, encryption, formatting. In an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, any module sending data may first compress the dataprior to data transmission.

Referring to FIG. 3 is illustrated an exemplary integrated adaptive autolearning and training system 300 of the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 for cooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3, providesa map of components that comprise the auto and adaptive learning andtraining capabilities of the integrated adaptive auto learning system100. The integrated adaptive auto learning and training system 300 mayinclude an algorithm 201 of the integrated adaptive auto learning system100 that may pertain to auto and adaptive learning and training of theintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100. The algorithm in 305 mayinclude the initial component of training the auto learning system 300specific to user/s used for initial configuration of the integratedadaptive auto learning system 100. The training may be customized byfeeding the data (including cooking/heating times) pertaining topreferred recipes and food specific to particular user/s preferences. Inorder for the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 to determinean optimal cooking/heating time for specific food's/recipe; suchfoods/recipes may be tagged by the user/s based on the attributescharacterizing the food/recipe and the timing duration that is ideal asper the user/s. Such attributes may include but to be limited to,quantity of the food/ingredients, i.e., the weight and/or the volume ofthe food/ingredients. The average cooking/heating time of certain foodmay be configured 305 based on allowing 306 the user/s to select from aninitial library of images of food recipes for training the system forcommonly used recipes for cooking operations or upload images of userpreferred recipes/food. The average cooking/heating time of certain foodmay be further configured 305 based on allowing 307 the user/s to trainthe integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 in terms of attributesrelated to the food/recipe/ingredients for cooking operations and user/soptimal cooking durations for such food/recipe. In an exemplaryembodiment, it may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in theart, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, that in order to further customize for a particular user/spreferences, there is an ability to tag particular food/recipes andcustomize further in terms of ingredients of the recipe. Eachfood/recipe may be configured with specific weight /volume associated interms of the single or multiple ingredients. The user may have theability to customize an average timing of operation based upon the keyingredients (including weight and/or volume and/or number). The user maybe able to save variations of the recipes whenever there is variation atthe ingredient level based on user preferences. The integrated adaptiveauto learning system 100 may be able to initialize the integratedadaptive auto learning system 100 with initial configuration values withrespect to the recipes and the ingredients as shown with references toExamples included below.

EXAMPLE Base Recipe 1

Burner Recipe Ingredients Volume/Number/Weight intensity Time 1 MoistChicken Breast, Garlic, 1 pound Chicken Breast Medium 16 mins GarlicBlack Pepper, Lemon marinated with Chicken pepper salt, butter or oil,seasonings chicken broth (other Chicken Broth - 1 cup seasonings can beadded) Garlic - 10 cloves minced

User and Integrated Adaptive Auto Learning System 100 Steps

Step No. User Action/Cooking Steps Integrated adaptive auto learningsystem Steps 1 Melt butter, add seasoned Start monitoring, configuringand and marinated chicken determining details pertaining to the cooking/heating operation. Match current cooking/heating operation to basicshallow fry chicken recipe 2 Leave chicken on one side 2a) Integratedadaptive auto learning system to brown on low heat may tag this step toa 3 minute cooking/heating timing requirement and alerts user uponcompletion of 3 mins. 2b) The timing for sending alert for completion ofthis step may be changed if the burn rate is different from the pre-feddata that currently exists in the Integrated adaptive auto learningsystem's knowledge repository. Example - Alert will be sent (to turn thechicken) at 1.5 mins instead of 3 mins if the burner is set on mediuminstead of low. 3 User turns the chicken 3a) Integrated adaptive autolearning system may tag this step to a 3 minute cooking/heating timingrequirement and alerts user upon completion of 3 mins. 3b) The timingfor sending alert for completion of this step may be changed if the burnrate is different from the pre-fed data that currently exists in theIntegrated adaptive auto learning system's knowledge repository.Example - Alert will be sent (to turn the chicken) at 1.5 mins insteadof 3 mins if the burner is set on medium instead of low. 4 User addGarlic and Integrated adaptive auto learning system may Chicken brothtag this to recipes such as Moist Garlic Chicken, Moist Ginger Chicken,Moist chicken with herbs. Integrated adaptive auto learning system maytag this as a 10 mins requirement for 1 cup of liquid to evaporate onlow burner. Alerts user after 10 minutes.

Base Recipe 1 with Variation

User adds a variation The timing for sending alert for completion ofthis step may be changed if the Integrated adaptive auto learning system100 detects variability from the pre-fed data that currently exists inthe Integrated adaptive auto learning system's 100 knowledge repository.However, time for alert may vary depending on several parameters suchas: based on pre-fed data and past learnings; the Integrated adaptiveauto learning system may process different cooking times based onvariances. Example - timing set for 10 soft- boiled eggs will be 8minutes. For 20 eggs, the timing will be set for 12 minutes. Ifvegetables are added, the timing for sending alerts will be changed bythe System and Method. Such changes may be based on the approximatevolume/weight of food being cooked/heated. Example if ½ a pound ofbroccoli is added to the recipe described in “Base Recipe 1”, theIntegrated adaptive auto learning system may update the timing from 16minutes to 19 minutes. In certain embodiemnts, the timing may also bemanually changed by a user. In embodiments wehre the integrated adaptiveauto learning system may sense (through its various sensors) browning orburning of food; it will immediately override the initial configuredduration for cooking/heating and immediately notify/alert the user.

In one embodiment, the user/s may be allowed 308 to pre-feeddata/further update data in the integrated adaptive auto learning system100 pertaining to commonly used utensils/cookware used by the user/s.The integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 may record uniqueattributes of such utensils/cookware such as utensil image, type(example: cast iron, stove-top glassware, steel etc.) weight and volume.In one embodiment, this may enable the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 to be contextually aware of the utensil/kitchenware beingused for cooking/heating operation. It may be appreciated by a personwith ordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that there may be instances where anew type of utensil/kitchenware may be used and data may not fed/updatedby the user. In such instances; the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 may alert the user/s that a new type of utensil/kitchenwareis being used and will also configure possible attributes based on thedata that the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 updates atthat specific point in time. The integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 further may include an algorithm 315 that may enable the userto initially train the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 onoptimal, potential pre-hazard and hazardous conditions. In steps 316 and317, the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 may be preloadedwith a library of images pertaining to potentially hazardous/hazardouscooking/heating conditions, for example liquids (such as stews andsoups) boiling over, blackened or charred food, and the like. The user/smay also feed data and details, i.e., images and other parameters thatconstitute over-cooking/heating and/or non-ideal cooking/heatingparameters, into the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100. Analogorithm 325, may allow for continuous learning and updates theknowledge repository of the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100based on real time learning and intelligence gathered from thecooking/heating operations. In step 326, integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 may auto tag the cooking/heating operation underwayto the closest match in the preloaded library/pre-fed and stored dataand may ask user for optional confirmation. The user may have the optionto confirm or to make changes. Such changes may include, but not belimited to, a change in the recipe tag, for example, shallow fry chickento shallow fry garlic chicken with broccoli, and/or a change in theduration of the cooking/heating operation, and the like. If the optionalconfirmation is not provided by the user, the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 may default to the closest match in the preloadedlibrary/pre-fed and stored data. In steps 327 and 328 the respectivealgorithms may perform analysis of data received from sensor and/orimaging receiver to determine other relevant parameters such asapproximate volume and/or weight of food, type of utensils/kitchenware.In step 329, an alogorithm may assist the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 to continuously learn, store, and make updates tothe knowledge database. In one embodiment, such learning and updates mayinclude the variability factor of foods/recipes. In various exemplaryembodiments, the variability factor may include but are not limited tothe number/volume of the food, added ingredients, variability in kitchenutensil/cookware and the burn rate and intensity of the heat in thecooking/heating operation. In step 335, the system may enable continuousauto learning and improvement of integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 based on the following: In step 336, the integrated adaptiveauto learning system 100 may optionally, i.e., if the user sets apreference for the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 to learnfrom shared data, integrate and learn from data shared over the cloud byapproved users who are a part of the network of integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 community. In step 336, the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 may perform background system auto analysis of datagathered from cooking/heating operations and also from optional learningfrom data shared over the cloud by approved users who are a part of thenetwork of integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 community. Instep 336, the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 communityeither on the cloud or locally on the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem 100 and may update the knowledge repository regarding therecipes, foods, ingredients and associated attribute information. Instep 345 the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 may enable amethod of providing real time intelligence and status updates about thecooking operations to the user and can re-compute the cooking/heatingoperation and/or enable the user to make certain changes as describedfurther in steps 346 and 347. In step 346, the integrated adaptive autolearning system 100 may make real-time updates to the time-duration ofheating/cooking activity. For e.g.—If the burner is set from medium tolow while the cooking/heating operation is underway, the integratedadaptive auto learning system 100 may recalibrate the timing/durationfor the cooking/heating operation and recompute and adjust duration ofall the subsequent steps of the recipe plan execution and accordinglychange all the notifications for all the steps. In step 347, theintegrated adaptive auto learning system 100 may have the capability(based on user preference) to transmit live audio/video/images of thecooking/heating operation to the user. The user may re-set the optimalcooking/heating time remotely so that the alerts are accordingly reset.In step 348, the integrated adaptive auto learning system 100 may allowthe user to provide feedback based on the completed cooking/heatingoperations. Such feedback may be used to re-calibrate, re-learn andreconfigure cooking/heating time for cooking/heating operations ofvarious foods.

Referring to FIG. 4 is illustrated a process flow chart of a method foran integrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 401, the integrated adaptive auto learning system maydetect an action whereby the system may be initiated, i.e., the systemwakes up from a sleep position based on automatic (sensor based) ormanual (example through an action taken in a smart device/appliance) tocommence monitoring. In step 402, the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem may commence the monitoring based on the initiation of a cookingoperation which can be triggered through different parameters but notlimited to: (i) detection of the clicking sound from the cookingappliance lighter/switching on operation; (ii) detection of gas in caseof a leakage; (iii) detection of motion around the area of coverage bysensors of the integrated adaptive auto learning system indicating thatcooking/heating operation may be commenced (iv) selection/tagging ofingredients and association with a recipe in a smart device/applianceand communicating to the integrated adaptive auto learning system toinitiate a cooking operation for a particular recipe. In an event thatimages described in step 402 indicate that that there may be no actualcooking/heating operation; the integrated adaptive auto learning systemmay proceed to step 404. Step 404 is the sleep mode which commences whenthe integrated adaptive auto learning system detects “idle time”pertaining to cooking/heating operations. In an event that theaudio/video/image interpretation by the integrated adaptive autolearning system described in step 402 above reveals that there is anactual cooking/heating operation that has commenced step 406; then theintegrated adaptive auto learning system may check to determine if anytrigger value is reached in step 406. Examples of trigger values includegas leakage, burners left switched on inadvertently without actualcooking/heating vessels or operations. The integrated adaptive autolearning system may interpret vapors intensity combined with theduration of operation or color of the foods, for example, blackenedrice, vegetables, etc. as a pre-hazard condition. The integratedadaptive auto learning system may also be able to recognize from imagingdata in case an equipment is still running unintentionally by acombination of fumes, temperature differential and from imaging of emptyutensils on the kitchen equipment. In one embodiment, if the trigger hasbeen reached, the integrated adaptive auto learning system may triggerthe alarm/communicate with and notify the user input devices that atrigger has been reached.

As a part of step 406, the integrated adaptive auto learning system mayuse a plurality of sensors to continuously track the cooking operationand update the variables in order to determine the overall recipe plan,for example, through the continuous real time tracking of the kitchenenvironment through a combination of motion sensors, audio, visualsensors, odor sensors and updating the recipe ingredients status andcommunicating to the overall integrated adaptive auto learning systemregarding any change to a particular recipe in terms of any of theattributes, including but not limited to quantity of ingredients,substitute ingredients, temperature for adding various ingredients, timeperiod for adding various ingredients. For example, if broccoli is addedto sautéed boneless chicken thigh cubed pieces; the system would updatethe recipe match and increase the alert for the cooking timeaccordingly.

If the trigger described in Step 406 is reached, in step 408; thecommunication hub may notify or communicate with configured user inputdevices (such as a smart device or home/central alarm system) tocommunicate. In exemplary embodiments, such communication may includebut not be limited to, notification of completion of pre-set time ofcooking/heating operation and alarms pertaining to potentially hazardousconditions such as gas leakage etc. In step 412, a type of configured“external” user input device such as home/central alarm system may betriggered by a corresponding event (such as people leaving the house,switching the alarm on etc.). In the event the configured “external”user input device such as home/central alarm system, set forth in Step412 is triggered the integrated adaptive auto learning system in step410 may immediately check if there are any cooking/heating operationgoing on at that specific point in time. Upon checking if the integratedadaptive auto learning system senses cooking/heating operation going onat that specific point in time, the communication hub may (as describedin Step 408) immediately notify or communicate with the configured userinput devices (such as a smart device or home/central alarm system).Such communication would include notification of the currentcooking/heating operation. In an event, where upon checking; if theintegrated adaptive auto learning system does not sense cooking/heatingoperation going on at that specific point in time, in step 414, theintegrated adaptive auto learning system may automatically proceed to asleep mode. In the event that the images (described in Step 402 above)reveals that there is an actual cooking/heating operation that hascommenced; however, the trigger value (e.g. gas leakage) is not reached;in step 416 the integrated adaptive auto learning system may intake datapertaining to the cooking/heating operation such as images, volume andweight depending on the type of food and the sensors that are activated.Such data may be immediately stored locally and time stamped in thestorage within the integrated adaptive auto learning system. In theevent that the data (including but not limited to images, weight etc.)are not received by the integrated adaptive auto learning system, instep 418 the integrated adaptive auto learning system immediately checksfor sensor or other errors. Upon detection of error/s described in Step418 above; the communication hub (Step 408) immediately notifies orcommunicates such error to the configured user input devices (such as asmart device) in step 420. After the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem successfully intakes data pertaining to the cooking/heatingoperation such as images, volume and weight depending on the type offood and the sensors that are activated as described in step 416; theprocessor analyzes and decodes the data against historical stored dataavailable to the integrated adaptive auto learning system in step 422.

In the event the processor, does not find a match between the latestdata pertaining to the food being cooked/heated with historical data byusing image recognition/available data processing through the integratedadaptive auto learning system—machine or heuristic learning softwarecapability; it stores the data in the storage or knowledge repository toperform future co-relation in step 424.

In step 426, upon finding a valid match between the latest datapertaining to the food being cooked/heated with historical data by usingimage recognition/available data processing through the integratedadaptive auto learning system—machine learning software capability; theSoftware (including rules and algorithms) compares the latest datapertaining to the food being cooked/heated (such as volume and weight)with historical data (based on stored data or based on pre-set idealcooking time input from user) by using image recognition/available dataprocessing through the integrated adaptive auto learning system—machinelearning software. For example, while the integrated adaptive autolearning system is capable to interpret from the kitchen knob positions,a permanent sticker/knob cover to the off position on the control knoband based on the relative position of the sticker on the control knob,the processer may determine the gas burn rate.

In step 428 the process based on the comparison run as described in step326 above may attempts to find similar parameters between the latestimage/data pertaining to the food being cooked/heated with historicaldata by using image recognition/data processing through artificialintelligence capability. Similar parameters pertain to key attributesincluding but not limited to the type of food, the size of the utensil,size of the ingredients, the volume and/or weight of the food, and burnrate based on the position of the burner knob.

In step 430, the processor may determine the parameter differencesbetween the latest data pertaining to the food being cooked/heated withhistorical data by using image recognition/available data processingthrough the integrated adaptive auto learning system—machine learningsoftware or based on pre-set ideal cooking time input from user. Invarious exemplary embodiments, differences in parameters pertaining tokey attributes may include but not limited to the size of the utensil,the volume and/or weight of the food, and burn rate based on theposition of the burner knob).

In step 432 the parameter differences (described in Step 430 above) maybe stored so that the integrated adaptive auto learning system can learnfor future use purposes. Data stored pertains to co-relating the imagewith different weights, volumes and other attributes. For example,conditions for 6 soft boiled large eggs vs. 10 soft boiled large eggs.

In step 334, based on learning from prior operations (based on storeddata and images or based on pre-set ideal cooking time input from user)and the parameter differences, the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem may determine the best prediction for optimal cooking/heatingtime duration of the food that is being cooked/heated. Once thepredicted optimal cooking/heating time duration of the food that isbeing cooked/heated is completed, the communication hub (as described inStep 408) may notify/alert or communicate with configured user inputdevices (such as a smart device or home/central alarm system) tocommunicate. In various exemplary embodiments, such communication mayinclude notification of completion of predicted optimal cooking/heatingoperation for the food that is being cooked/heated.

In step 438, the processor may determine that the parameter between thelatest image/data pertaining to the food being cooked/heated and thehistorical data are significant similar for key attributes (includingbut not limited to the type of food, the size of the utensil, the volumeand/or weight of the food, and burn rate based on the position of theburner knob). Based on such determination; the processor may set theoptimal cooking/heating time for the food that is currently beingcooked/heated. For example, conditions for cooking 1 cup of rice oraddition of vegetables to rice.

In the event that the integrated adaptive auto learning system is notable to receive real time imaging data (example: due to an opaque lid orcover on the utensil/cookware) and hence unable to interpret exactstatus of the cooking/heating operation, the integrated adaptive autolearning system may use the standard configuration values based on theinitial images of the cooking/heating operation and may accordinglydetermine an optimal cooking/heating time for the food that is currentlybeing cooked/heated. After aggregating the overall duration of timerequired to perform an optimal cooking operation based on the pastrecord of the time taken based on the ingredients originally sensedduring the beginning of the operation, the Communications hub willnotify both in an interim intervals to intervene by opening lid andperform measures like stirring operation or adding other ingredients-e.g. spices or adding other ingredients like vegetables or meat or fishetc.

Once the optimal cooking/heating time duration of the food that is beingcooked/heated is completed, the communication hub (as described in Step408) may notify alert or communicates with configured user input devices(such as a smart device or home/central alarm system) to communicate.Such communication would include notification of completion of optimalcooking/heating operation for the food that is being cooked/heated.

In one embodiment, the integrated adaptive auto learning system maystore the data locally as per the user preferences and develops aknowledge repository also called its “Local user cooking operationsrepository (LUCOR)” which may be a copy of images and other keyattributes relevant and personalized for the user. The integratedadaptive auto learning system as per the user preferences may also havea centralized global user cooking operations repository (GUCOR) andkeeps it refreshed in the cloud which includes the LUCOR with anyadditional data and algorithm enrichment. The integrated adaptive autolearning system may also have a Global Cooking Operations Repository(GUCOR) which may have the software algorithm and user shared recipesfor initial configuration and setup for new users. The integratedadaptive auto learning system may have the ability to work completely inan offline mode without replication, however the integrated adaptiveauto learning system should have communications channels intact in orderto connect to the configured communication mediums, e.g. mobileapplication, connecting to external alarms, calling preset telephonenumbers, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, in order to easilyinterpret when to consider as the starting point for a cooking operationfrom the images received, the method may require to attach a permanentsticker/knob cover to the off position on the control knob and based onthe relative position of the sticker on the control knob, the processermay determine the gas burn rate and the state of operation of the burnerin the kitchen appliance. In step 426, the processor may compare anddetermine against historical images and find the closest match in termsof the image attributes by using image recognition artificialintelligence capability. If it doesn't find a match the processor maystores the image as a part of this event for future matches and startthe internal timer/derives from the internal clock for measuring thetime of the duration for this operation. Only images that are finallyconsidered as the initial starting point before a cooking operation isconsidered as commenced are stored in the operations repository(Local/Global). Each image is stored with key attributes for example

<Type of Operation>—Warming, Cooking meat, stir fry, Boiling

<Total Time of Operation>—20 minutes

<Menu Name>—library maintained e.g. Chicken Stir Fry, Omlette

<Utensil volume>—1, 2 or 5 Quarts

Referring to FIG. 5 is illustrated an exemplary lay out 500 of anintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Accordingly, FIG. 5 is a depiction of one of the forms andstructures of the integrated adaptive auto learning system, and alsodepicts a possible area to place the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem.

As shown in FIG. 5, location 502 may include one of the ways that theintegrated adaptive auto learning system may be placed over the cookingappliance/range. It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skillin the art, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, that for clarity in abstracting sensor data the form,structure as well as the placement of the integrated adaptive autolearning system may vary based on various parameters such as the type ofcamera, shape of the encasement, whether the integrated adaptive autolearning system is placed under a hood, a microwave oven or as aseparate overhanging attachment from the roof, and the like. FIG. 4 alsoshows one the knob markers 504 which forms a component of the integratedadaptive auto learning system placed on the knob of the burner switch.

Referring to FIG. 6 is illustrated an exemplary portion 600 of anintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Accordingly, FIG. 6 is the depiction of a potential form andstructure of the knob marker which forms a component of the integratedadaptive auto learning system. In the exemplary embodiment, shown inFIG. 6, the knob marker is an attachment/cap/sleeve that may be added ontop of the knob which may be required for accurate interpretation, bythe integrated adaptive auto learning system of the knob's positionduring the cooking/heating operation to determine burner's burn rate(low, medium or high). Different positions of the knob marker 602 areshown that may be used by the integrated adaptive auto learning systemto interpret and determine burner's burn rate (low, medium or high)during a cooking/heating operation.

During the initial configuration and training mode, the integratedadaptive auto learning system may automatically detect the start of theburner and also be able to interpret from the positions of the burner,the intensity of the cooking operation. In cooking appliances where ithas electronic displays, the integrated adaptive auto learning systemmay either be able to use available APIs to integrate with theappliances to determine the state of the burner or use Computer visioncapability to interpret the display and determine the intensity of thecooking operation.

Referring to FIG. 7 is illustrated an exemplary portion 700 of anintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Accordingly, FIG. 7 depicts a potential form and structure ofthe core components of the integrated adaptive auto learning systemincluding but not limited to the external detachable cover assembly forthe integrated adaptive auto learning system, audio and imagingreceivers, mechanism to connect some of the components like magnets orscrews, protective cover and the knob marker. For clarity, the form andstructure of the components described in this FIG. 7 may vary and may bebased on various parameters such as the type of image receiver (such ascamera), shape of the encasement, whether the integrated adaptive autolearning system is placed under a hood, a microwave oven or as aseparate overhanging attachment from the roof etc. In exemplaryembodiments, the potential placement of sensors and imaging receiver(such as a motion detector and/or camera) is indicated at 701, thepotential placement of one of the multiple shafts that may be used tohold up some of the core components (such as sensors and image receiver)of the integrated adaptive auto learning system is indicated at 705, aprotective cover 710 may enclose the components of the integratedadaptive auto learning system, other than the external components suchas weight sensor and knob marker; magnets and metal 715 integrated ontothe shafts and protective glass cover and may be used to connect theshaft to the protective glass cover; a protective cover 720 for somecore components of the integrated adaptive auto learning system such asthe processor and storage; and detachable and washable heat resistantprotective glass cover or enclosure with magnets 725. Such heatresistant protective glass cover or enclosure shields certain componentsof the integrated adaptive auto learning system, such as, the imagereceiver from environmental particles, cooking vapors, grease, and thelike. In one embodiment, the detachable and washable heat resistantprotective glass cover or enclosure may be dish washer friendly. Apotential form and structure of the knob marker (a component of theSystem and Method) is shown by component 730. The knob marker is anattachment cap required for accurate interpretation, by the integratedadaptive auto learning system of the knob's position during thecooking/heating operation to determine burner's burn rate (low, mediumor high). The integrated adaptive auto learning system may include anyoptional weight sensor component 735. The weight sensor may measure theweight of the utensil with the food such that the weight data can bestored, interpreted and used for learning and also for determiningoptimal cooking/heating time for various foods.

Referring to FIG. 8, is illustrated an exemplary portion 800 of anintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Accordingly, FIG. 8 is an illustration of potentialdeployment in one of scenarios where multiple devices will be deployedin a kitchen environment. FIG. 8 depicts the combination of multipledevices/sensors placed in different locations in the kitchen environmentin order to have complete visibility of the operations within thekitchen. A plurality of devices may be used to get audio and videoinformation in real time in order to feed the signal into the integratedadaptive auto learning system. Position 805 indicates an exemplarymanner in which the integrated adaptive auto learning system may beplaced over the cooking appliance/range. Position 810 shows analternative way that the integrated adaptive auto learning system may beplaced. An equal or reduced functionality version of the integratedadaptive auto learning system may be attached in one or more locationswithin the kitchen environment to get frontal views of the applianceburner knobs and the actual kitchen flame situation from a differentangle in order to get accurate view of the situation and also todetermine the burner position.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the sensorial input components of the integrated adaptive autolearning system may be placed in different areas of the kitchen tofacilitate better view/data gathering/image recognition ang thereforeget a more complete and comprehensive view of the cooking/heatingoperation and more accurate contextual information which may lead tobetter decision-making and optimal cooking operation and proactivenon-optimal condition monitoring. In one embodiment, plural devices mayhave different components assembled within the enclosure to perform anaggregated function and to provide redundancy and backup mode foraccurate sensorial input to the integrated adaptive auto learningsystem. For example, the second device for the integrated adaptive autolearning system may have only audio and video sensors while the deviceon top of the appliance may have additional sensors like heat, gas andother sensors. The local computing components may be housed in a hubdevice away from the kitchen environment to prevent any damage and tomanage the heat and other environmental stress on the computingcomponents.

Referring to FIG. 9 is illustrated a process 900 of an integratedadaptive auto learning system for cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the process may include threemain steps that repeat in a circle to provide an adaptive continuouslearning process for optimal cooking operations. The first step mayinclude a configuring step 910. In this step the user may configureaverage cooking/heating times of food based on (a) pre-fed data ofcertain food images; (b) pre-fed volumes/weight of such foods; (c)pre-fed customized images of utensils to help determine volume ofcertain foods; and then configure non-optimal cooking/heating conditionsand potential hazards based on pre-fed images uploaded into library byuser (e.g., boiling over liquids, and blackening foods), followed byreinforcement learning that may include providing feedback to the modelsthrough automated analysis and user feedback. The second step mayinclude an operate and learn step 912. In this step the system mayinterpret the content of the food on the cooking appliances with therelevant pre-fed data/images to determine the following, (a) type offood, (b) volume of food, (c) type of utensil (e.g., 1 Qt. vs. 2 Qt.)and/or weight based on weight sensor/s on cooking range, (d) size ofcooking ingredients, (e) amount and extent of cooking oil/liquids forcomputing extent of uniformity of heat conduction, and the like.Further, cooking/heating operation details including (a) timing imagesmay be transmitted and viewable by user/s for live monitoring and thecommunications hub (e.g. mobile application, physical alarms basedinput) may take user feedback to further help the system with continuouslearning. In a third step 914 the system may be optimized withcontinuous learning and improvement based on (a) data gathering ofcooking/heating operations, (b) increase in cooking/heating data fedinto the system, and the like improvements. This cycle may continue toprovide and improved an integrated adaptive auto learning system forcooking operations and pre-hazard monitoring in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

In various embodiments the integrated adaptive auto learning system forcooking operations disclosed herein may notify the user at the userpreferred right time through an innovative way of human and systeminteraction by understanding details about the contextual environment.In an exemplary embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 10 wherea multi-tasking or a working parent may be attempting to get somecooking done. The parent may have multiple distractions like activitieswith children, cooking multiple things on stove, may forget to switch ofstove, among other complications. The integrated adaptive auto learningsystem for cooking operations disclosed herein has the capability tocomprehend if the food on the range is being cooked based on the optimalsetting for the family and will notify the parent to take the next stepin the process of cooking. Example: turn the breaded chicken breastpieces over to the other side, or notifies (at different required times)the parent who is helping the kids with their homework and pianopractice etc. that rice is cooked, to flip over the breaded chickenbreast pieces and the optimal preferred time for mixed vegetable sautéwith sriracha sauce is complete. The system disclosed herein may alsocome equipped with multiple sensors (e.g. a camera, heat and gassensors) that can process if the burners on the stove are still on, andif they are still on with nothing being cooked at the time the user willbe alerted as a part of pre-hazardous/non-optimal situationnotification.

In an exemplary embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 11 wherea chef is tasked with ensuring optimal cooking for different userswanting the same item to be cooked differently, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The system disclosed herein mayenable chefs to get trained faster to perform complex cooking operationsin multi-cuisine restaurants. As mentioned hereinabove, the systemdisclosed herein may have the capability to notify the chef who iscooking pan seared beef steak for multiple people having multiplepreferences (in multiple burners) such as rare, medium rare, medium andwell cooked. The alert sent for each user will alert the chef to turnover the beef steaks at different times for different users. Other thanincreasing the popularity of the restaurant and customer satisfactiondue to creation of optimally cooked food every time; the system mayprevent non-hazardous conditions as well as wastage of food due tonon-optimal cooking.

In an exemplary embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 12 wherea student is tasked with multitasking with cooking among various otherresponsibilities with tremendous constraint in terms of the total timeavailable in his/her schedule to manage both the personal andprofessional calendar. Furthermore, s/he may have limited cookingappliances and vessels. The system disclosed herein may allow a user toleave the kitchen unattended. The user may freely do what he or shelikes while the system disclosed herein may monitor the cooking heatingoperation. For example, if the student wants to cook stove top one potchicken cacciatore, student would put the ingredients including chicken,vegetables, wine, broth, tomato paste etc.), and put the burner in a lowburn-rate position, take an online academic class, and be notified aboutthe completion of the optimal cooking operation in about 50 minutes.

In certain exemplary situations students may want to eat food that wouldrequire attention at different times during the cooking process but haschallenges in terms of dedicated time at the cooking area. The studentmay make more complex dishes to their liking, because during thecooking/heating stage the user can let the system monitor the cooking.In the chicken cacciatore recipe that is based on the pre-fed userpreferred stored data; the system may notify the student in about 40minutes to add in olives and then again after 10 more minutes that thedish is now done.

In an exemplary embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 13 wherethe elderly population with limited capability to remember things aretasked with cooking the system disclosed herein may alert the user thatthey have something cooking, and the user can get back to the next stepin the cooking/heating process. This will allow elderly population to beindependent for long time while keeping them away from hazardousconditions. It may also allow them to enjoy different foods of theirliking without having to worry about forgetting about thecooking/heating operation. As mentioned herein above the system may alsodetect hazardous and pre-hazardous kitchen environments and alert theuser.

In an exemplary embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 14 wherea new cook may be tasked cooking, the user may start to initiate thecooking operation. An average preteen may be occupied by many parallelactivities and hence has a shorter attention span possibly causing themto forget that there is food being cooked on the stove. They also liketo do multiple things as a time like doing their homework, practicingtheir piano, browsing the internet, watching a movie, playing a gameetc. and can forget about the food on the stove. This may lead tonon-optimally cooked food or hazardous conditions. The system may helpprevent or minimize such occurrence with new cooks. Also, sometimesafter the user completes the cooking heating operation, they sometimesforget that the stove is on. As mentioned hereinbefore the systemdisclosed herein may have the capability to alert the user if no cookingheating operation is underway but the knob/burner is inadvertently lefton.

Turning back to FIG. 1, the systems at least one computing device 125and at least a storage device 150. The computing device 125 may be inworking communication with computer devices 140 via communication hub130. The computer device 125, 140, may include a display screen, adatabase, and a miscellaneous data input interface (not shown infigures). It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in theart, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, that the computer devices have been numbered for brevity.Each system disclosed herein may have a computer device and the usersmay have their personal devices in working communication with the systemcomputer device 125.

As described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 above the computingdevice 125 may receive information form sensors 115 and from user inputdevices 140, 145 via the communication hub 130. The computing device 125may then use information provided by the user and pre-stored informationfrom the cloud storage 150 to ensure a smooth cooking operation for theuser with required reminders and alerts being provided to the user asmentioned hereinabove.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the computing device 125, and the user input device 140 may includevirtually any computer device capable of capturing, processing, anddisplaying user information and providing appropriate information andassistance to the communication hub for delivering to the computerdevice 125. Non-limiting examples of the computing systems and computersinclude a computer, a smart phone, an appliance, sensors, etc. Thecomputing systems and the computer devices may include any computingplatform that executes computer software and/or code from anon-transitory computer readable medium. The computing systems and thecomputer devices may include a single device or multiple devices. Inembodiments where the computing system and the computer device is asingle device all the functions of capturing the user informationincluding user data, visual data, vocal data, environmental data, etc.may be executed by the single computing system and/or the computerdevice. In embodiments where the computing system and the computerdevice include multiple devices these functions may be distributedbetween the multiple devices. For example, the gathering of visual datamay be done by one computer device and the gathering of vocal data andphysical attributes data may be done by another computer device. Inanother embodiment, the computer device is a single device and thecomputer system is a single computer system.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that the computing device 125 may connect to any number of devices withvirtually any wired and/or wireless means. The computing system mayconnect to virtually any device by means such as, but not limited to,Bluetooth connection, Ethernet cable, USB cable, WIFI, IRDA, etc. . . .In one embodiment, the computing device 125 may connect to other devicesfor gathering user information and delivery information.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,that a miscellaneous data input interface may be virtually any datainput interface capable of capturing information from the user inputdevice 140 or other user input device 145. The computing system mayinclude tools, for example, alarm recognition, using the miscellaneousdata input interface. The tools may be capable of gathering informationon the user's preferences and the output that is to be delivered.Non-limiting variables of user's preferences include type of food, levelof cooking, etc. . . .

The database may be, but not limited to, a plurality of data servers,and a memory card. In certain embodiments, the cloud computing system150 may function as the database. It may be appreciated by a person withordinary skill in the art, in light of and in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, that the database (containing user'sorganized information) may contain virtually any user data to enable thecomputing device 125 to provide cooking assistance to the user.

It may be appreciated by a person with ordinary skill in the art, inlight of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,the user information gathered may partially or completely be containedin a local computing platform and/or network. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the user information gathered maybe located on a local computer network.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced,reordered, removed and additional steps and/or system modules may beinserted depending upon the needs of the particular application, andthat the systems of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented usingany of a wide variety of suitable processes and system modules, and isnot limited to any particular computer hardware, software, middleware,firmware, microcode and the like. For any method steps described in thepresent application that can be carried out on a computing machine, atypical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed,serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention maybe embodied. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, thatany of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removedand additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary client/server systemwhich may be used by an exemplary web-enabled/networked embodiment ofthe present invention.

A communication system 1500 includes a multiplicity of clients with asampling of clients denoted as a client 1502 and a client 1504, amultiplicity of local networks with a sampling of networks denoted as alocal network 1506 and a local network 1508, a global network 1510 and amultiplicity of servers with a sampling of servers denoted as a server1512 and a server 1514.

Client 1502 may communicate bi-directionally with local network 1506 viaa communication channel 1516. Client 1504 may communicatebi-directionally with local network 1508 via a communication channel1518. Local network 1506 may communicate bi-directionally with globalnetwork 1510 via a communication channel 1520. Local network 1508 maycommunicate bi-directionally with global network 1510 via acommunication channel 1522. Global network 1510 may communicatebi-directionally with server 1512 and server 1514 via a communicationchannel 1524. Server 1512 and server 1514 may communicatebi-directionally with each other via communication channel 1524.Furthermore, clients 1502, 1504, local networks 1506, 1508, globalnetwork 1510 and servers 1512, 1514 may each communicatebi-directionally with each other.

In one embodiment, global network 1510 may operate as the Internet. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that communication system1500 may take many different forms. Non-limiting examples of forms forcommunication system 1500 include local area networks (LANs), wide areanetworks (WANs), wired telephone networks, wireless networks, or anyother network supporting data communication between respective entities.

Clients 1502 and 1504 may take many different forms. Non-limitingexamples of clients 1502 and 1504 include personal computers, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones and smartphones.

Client 1502 includes a CPU 1526, a pointing device 1528, a keyboard1530, a microphone 1532, a printer 1534, a memory 1536, a mass memorystorage 1538, a GUI 1540, a video camera 1542, an input/output interface1544, and a network interface 1546.

CPU 1526, pointing device 1528, keyboard 1530, microphone 1532, printer1534, memory 1536, mass memory storage 1538, GUI 1540, video camera1542, input/output interface 1544 and network interface 1546 maycommunicate in a unidirectional manner or a bi-directional manner witheach other via a communication channel 1548. Communication channel 1548may be configured as a single communication channel or a multiplicity ofcommunication channels.

CPU 1526 may be comprised of a single processor or multiple processors.CPU 1526 may be of various types including micro-controllers (e.g., withembedded RAM/ROM) and microprocessors such as programmable devices(e.g., RISC or SISC based, or CPLDs and FPGAs) and devices not capableof being programmed such as gate array ASICs (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits) or general-purpose microprocessors.

As is well known in the art, memory 1536 is used typically to transferdata and instructions to CPU 1526 in a bi-directional manner. Memory1536, as discussed previously, may include any suitablecomputer-readable media, intended for data storage, such as thosedescribed above excluding any wired or wireless transmissions unlessspecifically noted. Mass memory storage 1538 may also be coupledbi-directionally to CPU 1526 and provides additional data storagecapacity and may include any of the computer-readable media describedabove. Mass memory storage 1538 may be used to store programs, data andthe like and is typically a secondary storage medium such as a harddisk. It will be appreciated that the information retained within massmemory storage 1538, may, in appropriate cases, be incorporated instandard fashion as part of memory 1536 as virtual memory.

CPU 1526 may be coupled to GUI 1540. GUI 1540 enables a user to view theoperation of computer operating system and software. CPU 1526 may becoupled to pointing device 1528. Non-limiting examples of pointingdevice 1528 include computer mouse, trackball and touchpad. Pointingdevice 1528 enables a user with the capability to maneuver a computercursor about the viewing area of GUI 1540 and select areas or featuresin the viewing area of GUI 1540. CPU 1526 may be coupled to keyboard1530. Keyboard 1530 enables a user with the capability to inputalphanumeric textual information to CPU 1526. CPU 1526 may be coupled tomicrophone 1532. Microphone 1532 enables audio produced by a user to berecorded, processed and communicated by CPU 1526. CPU 1526 may beconnected to printer 1534. Printer 1534 enables a user with thecapability to print information to a sheet of paper. CPU 1526 may beconnected to video camera 1542. Video camera 1042 enables video producedor captured by user to be recorded, processed and communicated by CPU1026.

CPU 1026 may also be coupled to input/output interface 1044 thatconnects to one or more input/output devices such as such as CD-ROM,video monitors, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones,touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, magnetic or papertape readers, tablets, styluses, voice or handwriting recognizers, orother well-known input devices such as, of course, other computers.

Finally, CPU 1526 optionally may be coupled to network interface 1546which enables communication with an external device such as a databaseor a computer or telecommunications or internet network using anexternal connection shown generally as communication channel 1516, whichmay be implemented as a hardwired or wireless communications link usingsuitable conventional technologies. With such a connection, CPU 1526might receive information from the network, or might output informationto a network in the course of performing the method steps described inthe teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram depicting a conventionalclient/server communication system.

A communication system 1600 includes a multiplicity of networked regionswith a sampling of regions denoted as a network region 1602 and anetwork region 1604, a global network 1606 and a multiplicity of serverswith a sampling of servers denoted as a server device 1608 and a serverdevice 1610.

Network region 1602 and network region 1604 may operate to represent anetwork contained within a geographical area or region. Non-limitingexamples of representations for the geographical areas for the networkedregions may include postal zip codes, telephone area codes, states,counties, cities and countries. Elements within network region 1602 and1604 may operate to communicate with external elements within othernetworked regions or within elements contained within the same networkregion.

In some implementations, global network 1606 may operate as theInternet. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatcommunication system 1600 may take many different forms. Non-limitingexamples of forms for communication system 1600 include local areanetworks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wired telephone networks,cellular telephone networks or any other network supporting datacommunication between respective entities via hardwired or wirelesscommunication networks. Global network 1606 may operate to transferinformation between the various networked elements.

Server device 1608 and server device 1610 may operate to executesoftware instructions, store information, support database operationsand communicate with other networked elements. Non-limiting examples ofsoftware and scripting languages which may be executed on server device1608 and server device 1610 include C, C++, C# and Java.

Network region 1602 may operate to communicate bi-directionally withglobal network 1606 via a communication channel 1612. Network region1604 may operate to communicate bi-directionally with global network1606 via a communication channel 1614. Server device 1608 may operate tocommunicate bi-directionally with global network 1606 via acommunication channel 1616. Server device 1610 may operate tocommunicate bi-directionally with global network 1606 via acommunication channel 1618. Network region 1602 and 1604, global network1606 and server devices 1608 and 1610 may operate to communicate witheach other and with every other networked device located withincommunication system 1600.

Server device 1608 includes a networking device 1620 and a server 1622.Networking device 1620 may operate to communicate bi-directionally withglobal network 1606 via communication channel 1616 and with server 1622via a communication channel 1624. Server 1622 may operate to executesoftware instructions and store information.

Network region 1602 includes a multiplicity of clients with a samplingdenoted as a client 1626 and a client 1628. Client 1626 includes anetworking device 1634, a processor 1636, a GUI 1638 and an interfacedevice 1640. Non-limiting examples of devices for GUI 1638 includemonitors, televisions, cellular telephones, smartphones and PDAs(Personal Digital Assistants). Non-limiting examples of interface device1640 include pointing device, mouse, trackball, scanner and printer.Networking device 1634 may communicate bi-directionally with globalnetwork 1606 via communication channel 1612 and with processor 1636 viaa communication channel 1642. GUI 1638 may receive information fromprocessor 1636 via a communication channel 1644 for presentation to auser for viewing. Interface device 1640 may operate to send controlinformation to processor 1636 and to receive information from processor1636 via a communication channel 1646. Network region 1604 includes amultiplicity of clients with a sampling denoted as a client 1630 and aclient 1632. Client 1630 includes a networking device 1648, a processor1650, a GUI 1652 and an interface device 1654. Non-limiting examples ofdevices for GUI 1638 include monitors, televisions, cellular telephones,smartphones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Non-limitingexamples of interface device 1640 include pointing devices, mousse,trackballs, scanners and printers. Networking device 1648 maycommunicate bi-directionally with global network 1606 via communicationchannel 1614 and with processor 1650 via a communication channel 1656.GUI 1652 may receive information from processor 1650 via a communicationchannel 1658 for presentation to a user for viewing. Interface device1654 may operate to send control information to processor 1650 and toreceive information from processor 1650 via a communication channel1660.

For example, consider the case where a user interfacing with client 1626may want to execute a networked application. A user may enter the IP(Internet Protocol) address for the networked application usinginterface device 1640. The IP address information may be communicated toprocessor 1636 via communication channel 1646. Processor 1636 may thencommunicate the IP address information to networking device 1634 viacommunication channel 1642. Networking device 1634 may then communicatethe IP address information to global network 1606 via communicationchannel 1612. Global network 1606 may then communicate the IP addressinformation to networking device 1620 of server device 1608 viacommunication channel 1616. Networking device 1620 may then communicatethe IP address information to server 1622 via communication channel1624. Server 1622 may receive the IP address information and afterprocessing the IP address information may communicate return informationto networking device 1620 via communication channel 1624. Networkingdevice 1620 may communicate the return information to global network1606 via communication channel 1616. Global network 1606 may communicatethe return information to networking device 1634 via communicationchannel 1612. Networking device 1634 may communicate the returninformation to processor 1636 via communication channel 1642. Processor1646 may communicate the return information to GUI 1638 viacommunication channel 1644. User may then view the return information onGUI 1638.

Accordingly, the system and method disclosed herein in variousembodiments include the following features (i) ability to sense andinterpret ingredients and utensils—guesstimate weight, type, etc.through a plurality of sensors such as computer image recognition, audiosensors and/or weight sensors; (ii) ability to determine the state ofcooking based on image recognition; (iii) ability to update recipedatabase in real time through recipe import from multiple channels,either shared user groups or through web import; (iv) store datapertaining to description of pre-hazardous cooking/heating conditions orconfigured non-optimal conditions; (v) transforming the said sensedattributes and parameters into computer readable commands; (vi) may havethe ability to override said configured sequence of triggers/alerts (toimmediately execute triggers/alert) if pre-configured pre-hazardouscooking/heating conditions or configured non-optimal conditions isreached or sensed; (vii) execute triggers/alerts when pre-configuredpre-hazardous cooking/heating conditions or configured non-optimalconditions is reached or sensed; and (viii) initiates performance ofcooking/heating monitoring and learning operations by training upon datareceived from singular or plurality of sensors and from data stored.

In one embodiment, the system may include a single or plurality ofsensors (installed at one or multiple locations within the kitchenenvironment). The sensors may include components like audio visual alertincluding but not limited to a buzzer or light emitting diode, heatresistant imaging sensor, audio sensor, motion sensor, a sensor tomeasure concentration of cooking gas or vapor in the environment aroundthe sensors, heat sensor to measure temperature gradient in theimmediate vicinity of the device, an external weight sensor attached tothe burners, a computing device with a processer and memory with abilityto connect wirelessly to external computing and storage capabilities,optional capability to integrate with the cloud for computing andstorage, circuit integration components for connecting all thecomponents, a knob enclosure with markers to depict the burn rate, powersource within the housing (which may operate with batteries or beingdirectly connected to the electrical source), algorithms within thecomputing device or/and the cloud to analyze and store information aboutcooking/heating operations, software application programming interfaceor API which can connect with specific cooking appliances or with otherdigital assistants or security systems or public emergency services ortelecommunications as is technologically feasible.

Circuit integration components, software, pre-fed training data andcontinuous operations data may be used to calibrate, sense, detectand/or trigger communications, alerts and/or alarms. The values that areprogrammed are “< than alert trigger value” and “=/> than alert triggervalue”. The trigger values are configured and changed using a softwareconsole that can be accessed from multiple devices. Such trigger valuescan be based on a) pre-fed data pertaining to optimal cooking/heating ofvarious foods b) interpretation by system and method disclosed hereinfor optimal cooking based on prior learning and gathered data c) Sensingof certain potential hazardous conditions including but not limited toblackening of food, smoke, boiling over of liquids, heat in excess ofexpected pre-fed values (e.g. temperature differential), and the like.

In embodiments, where the trigger value is reached and/or exceeded (i.e.“=/> than alert trigger value”) the system and method, based on suchdata received, will trigger the communication, alert and/or alarms toactivate (example activation of the buzzer or LED on the system andmethod, connect using Wi-Fi or cellular network or a mesh network tosend a push notification to mobile/web applications, connect to a systemto send an automated email or SMS Text or call a designated number).

The “integrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring system and method” may at times be herein referredto as “system” or :system and method” It will be further apparent tothose skilled in the art that at least a portion of the novel methodsteps and/or system components of the present invention may be practicedand/or located in location(s) possibly outside the jurisdiction of theUnited States of America (USA), whereby it will be accordingly readilyrecognized that at least a subset of the novel method steps and/orsystem components in the foregoing embodiments must be practiced withinthe jurisdiction of the USA for the benefit of an entity therein or toachieve an object of the present invention. Thus, some alternateembodiments of the present invention may be configured to comprise asmaller subset of the foregoing means for and/or steps described thatthe applications designer will selectively decide, depending upon thepractical considerations of the particular implementation, to carry outand/or locate within the jurisdiction of the USA. For example, any ofthe foregoing described method steps and/or system components which maybe performed remotely over a network (e.g., without limitation, aremotely located server) may be performed and/or located outside of thejurisdiction of the USA while the remaining method steps and/or systemcomponents (e.g., without limitation, a locally located client) of theforgoing embodiments are typically required to be located/performed inthe USA for practical considerations. In client-server architectures, aremotely located server typically generates and transmits requiredinformation to a US based client, for use according to the teachings ofthe present invention. Depending upon the needs of the particularapplication, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, inlight of the teachings of the present invention, which aspects of thepresent invention can or should be located locally and which can orshould be located remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of thefollowing claim limitations that are construed under 35 USC § 112 (6) itis intended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carryingout the claimed function are the ones that are locally implementedwithin the jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s)performed or located remotely outside the USA are not intended to beconstrued under 35 USC § 112 (6). In some embodiments, the methodsand/or system components which may be located and/or performed remotelyinclude, without limitation the process of automatic recognition ofingredients and association with closest match in terms of recipes basedon the performance of the algorithms and the entire analysis of theperformance can be done through machine learning. However additionaluser intervention may be required to provide feedback in terms ofaccuracy and resulting in improvement in the algorithms for future usagewhere the user can intervene and choose recipes based on a suggestedlist of options, in terms of providing closest match and also closestassociated set of steps is going to be provide more enriched use thatexperience in times of simplicity and usage. Such data analysispertaining to additional user intervention can be offshored.

It is noted that according to USA law, all claims must be set forth as acoherent, cooperating set of limitations that work in functionalcombination to achieve a useful result as a whole. Accordingly, for anyclaim having functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6)where the embodiment in question is implemented as a client-serversystem with a remote server located outside of the USA, each suchrecited function is intended to mean the function of combining, in alogical manner, the information of that claim limitation with at leastone other limitation of the claim. For example, in client-server systemswhere certain information claimed under 35 USC § 112 (6) is/(are)dependent on one or more remote servers located outside the USA, it isintended that each such recited function under 35 USC § 112 (6) is to beinterpreted as the function of the local system receiving the remotelygenerated information required by a locally implemented claimlimitation, wherein the structures and or steps which enable, andbreathe life into the expression of such functions claimed under 35 USC§ 112 (6) are the corresponding steps and/or means located within thejurisdiction of the USA that receive and deliver that information to theclient (e.g., without limitation, client-side processing andtransmission networks in the USA). When this application is prosecutedor patented under a jurisdiction other than the USA, then “USA” in theforegoing should be replaced with the pertinent country or countries orlegal organization(s) having enforceable patent infringementjurisdiction over the present application, and “35 USC § 112 (6)” shouldbe replaced with the closest corresponding statute in the patent laws ofsuch pertinent country or countries or legal organization(s).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” or“steps for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) functional limitation would have to beconducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policyfor broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTOwill have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents includingdisclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to actas corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in thebelow claims that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA112(f)) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any inventionelement(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s),in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)),which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documentsfound during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate allsuch functionally corresponding structures and related enabling materialherein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structuresthat implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s)that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/orexamination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporateonly the portions of each of these documents discovered during thebroadest interpretation search of 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f))limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patentdocuments found during the course of normal USPTO searching and orsupplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporateby reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all suchdocuments comprising functionally corresponding structures and relatedenabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise anyinformation disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patentapplication by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd) parties.Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are notexplicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s)have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing an integratedadaptive auto learning system for cooking operations and pre-hazardmonitoring system and method according to the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the inventionhave been described above by way of illustration, and the specificembodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of theintegrated adaptive auto learning system for cooking operations andpre-hazard monitoring system and method may vary depending upon theparticular context or application. By way of example, and notlimitation, the integrated adaptive auto learning system for cookingoperations and pre-hazard monitoring system and method described in theforegoing were principally directed to cooking operationsimplementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to,a system and method configured for use by differently abled individualsor seniors and elderly individuals, primarily because of the followingreasons: (1) it will help reduce the amount of time and attention thatthe user need to provide to the cooking operation thus reducing the timethe user has to stand in the kitchen environment (2) It will provideadequate alerts with notice is a very helpful feature (3) It will helpreduce stress around cooking operations (4) the alerts can help preventpre-hazardous and hazardous conditions (5) the system and method can beconfigured to send alerts simultaneously to an alternative friend,caregiver or family member of the user to ensure timely action in thecooking operation and to ensure the safety of the user and (6) thesystem and method can be configured to send either visual or soundalerts or both depending on the actual requirement of the user. whichimplementations of the present invention are contemplated as within thescope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood thatnot all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification willnecessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, orimprovements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: configuring an attribute data describing a cooking or heating time and a weight or volume for a predetermined food or recipe; storing said attribute data describing said cooking or heating time and weight or volume for said predetermined food or recipe; configuring a parameter data describing an environment of said cooking or heating for said predetermined food or recipe; storing said parameter data describing said environment of said cooking or heating for said predetermined food or recipe, in which said parameter data includes at least one of a predetermined temperature sensor reading, a temperature gradient, a gas sensor reading, a light sensor reading, a humidity sensor reading, a motion sensor reading, and a weight sensor reading; configuring a sequence of trigger or alert notification, said sequence of trigger or alert notification including at least one of notifying, a normal cooking or heating condition, a pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition, and a non-optimal cooking or heating condition for said predetermined food or recipe; storing said sequence of trigger or alert describing said normal cooking or heating condition, pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition, and non-optimal cooking or heating condition, wherein said condition data further includes an image of at least one of, cooked food, liquid boiling over, and blackened or charred food; sensing an initiation of a cooking or heating operation, in which said initiation of cooking or heating operation includes at least one of, detecting a clicking sound or lighter switching on operation from a cooking appliance, detecting a change in temperature, detecting a presence of gas, detecting a motion around an area of coverage by said cooking appliance, detecting a selection or tagging of said food or recipe; sensing at least one of an attribute and parameter involved in said cooking or heating operation based on said temperature sensor, temperature gradient, gas sensor, light sensor, humidity sensor, motion sensor, or weight sensor; transforming said at least one of said initiation of cooking or heating operation, sensed attribute, and sensed parameter into a computer readable command; mapping or comparing at least one of said initiation of said initiation of cooking or heating operation, sensed attribute, and sensed parameter with said stored attribute data, parameter data, and sequence of trigger or alert to find a match or a lack thereof; executing said trigger or alert when said configured normal cooking or heating condition is reached; overriding said configured sequence of triggers or alerts to immediately execute said trigger or alert if said pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition or configured non-optimal condition is reached; connecting with at least one of, a smart device and a smart assistant for a user interface and a user communication functionality; and communicating or interacting with said at least one of, smart device and smart assistant for storing new data or for alerting and notification purposes.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of configuring attribute data pertaining to optimal cooking or heating sequences, timed triggers, or timed alerts for different foods or recipes and pre-hazardous conditions.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: enabling updates to said stored attribute data to include a description of cooking or heating times for different foods or recipes and a description of pre-hazardous cooking/heating conditions or configured non-optimal conditions for the different foods or recipes by enabling a retrieval of said stored attribute data to update the attribute of the data for fine tuning based on user preferences.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of sensing said initiation of the cooking or heating operation by implementing single or plurality of sensors including one or more motion sensors to sense motion in a kitchen environment, imaging data received from a kitchen appliance, and detecting a position of a burner knob setting through an imaging receiver.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of sensing of pre-configured pre-hazardous cooking or heating conditions or configured non-optimal conditions by implementing single or plurality of sensors including one or more sensors that are configured to detect gas leakage, a concentration of vapors beyond trigger value, a burner switched on without any actual cooking operation beyond a trigger value pertaining to time that a burner can be on without any actual cooking operation or pre-configured pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition or configured non-optimal conditions including but not limited to overflowing liquids, browning or burning of food.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of executing said trigger or alert sequentially based on matched commands by communicating through embedded alarm system or multiple channel smart device.
 7. The method of claim 6, in which said multiple channel smart device comprises mobile device, smart watch, or smart assistant.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: adjusting said trigger or alert notification parameters based on a burner knob setting, a vessel or cookware used for cooking or heating operation, a quantity, volume or type of ingredient; storing data pertaining to new food or recipe being cooked or heated; and sensing new food or recipe being cooked or heated.
 9. A system comprising: means for configuring an attribute data describing a cooking or heating time and a weight or volume for a predetermined food or recipe; means for storing said attribute data describing said cooking or heating time and weight or volume for said predetermined food or recipe; means for configuring a parameter data describing an environment of said cooking or heating for said predetermined food or recipe; means for storing said parameter data describing said environment of said cooking or heating for said predetermined food or recipe, in which said parameter data includes at least one of a predetermined temperature sensor reading, a temperature gradient, a gas sensor reading, a light sensor reading, a humidity sensor reading, a motion sensor reading, and a weight sensor reading; means for configuring a sequence of trigger or alert notification, said sequence of trigger or alert notification including at least one of notifying, a normal cooking or heating condition, a pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition, and a non-optimal cooking or heating condition for said predetermined food or recipe; means for storing said sequence of trigger or alert describing said normal cooking or heating condition, pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition, and non-optimal cooking or heating condition, wherein said condition data further includes an image of at least one of, cooked food, liquid boiling over, and blackened or charred food; means for sensing an initiation of a cooking or heating operation; means for sensing at least one of an attribute and parameter involved in said cooking or heating operation; means for transforming said at least one of said initiation of cooking or heating operation, sensed attribute, and sensed parameter into a computer readable command; means for mapping or comparing at least one of said initiation of said initiation of cooking or heating operation, sensed attribute, and sensed parameter with said stored attribute data, parameter data, and sequence of trigger or alert to find a match or a lack thereof; means for executing said trigger or alert when said configured normal cooking or heating condition is reached; means for overriding said configured sequence of triggers or alerts to immediately execute said trigger or alert if said pre-hazardous cooking or heating condition or configured non-optimal condition is reached; means for connecting with at least one of, a smart device and a smart assistant for a user interface and a user communication functionality; and means for communicating or interacting with said at least one of, smart device and smart assistant for storing new data or for alerting and notification purposes.
 10. A method comprising: steps for storing at least one of an attribute data and a parameter data pertaining to a weight or volume of a predetermined food or recipe to be cooked or heated; steps for training upon sensor data received from a singular or plurality of sensors and from said stored data to determine a duration of cooking or heating operation for said food or recipe; steps for learning said duration of cooking or heating operation for said food or recipe based from a result of said training step; steps for predicting said duration of cooking or heating operation for said food or recipe based on a result of said learning step; steps for gathering shared data about said duration of cooking or heating operation for said food or recipe from a network of users; and steps for updating said stored data based on said learning step and shared data about said duration of cooking or heating operation for said food or recipe.
 11. The Method of claim 10, in which said data is stored in a pre-configured database or library of variety of food and associated cooking or heating sequences and duration for cooking or heating.
 12. The Method of claim 11, further comprising the steps for re-configuring said pre-configured database or library of variety of food and associated cooking or heating sequence and duration for cooking or heating based on optimal cooking or heating preferences.
 13. The Method of claim 12, further comprising the steps for configuring new food and associated cooking or heating sequence and duration for cooking or heating based on cooking or heating preferences.
 14. The Method of claim 13, further comprising the steps for collecting new data for storage in said database or library, wherein, if a sequence or duration is not detected between real time data of cooking or heating operation and said stored data, an image and analyzed attribute of food or recipe being cooked or heated are stored.
 15. The Method of claim 14, further comprising the steps for sharing said pre-configured database or library within said network of users.
 16. The Method of claim 15, further comprising: steps for configuring a trigger or alert notification for said cooking or heating operation, wherein said trigger or alert configuration includes storage and configuration of at least a physical property and image of a kitchen equipment implemented during said cooking or heating operation, and burner knob positions; wherein said physical property comprises at least one of, a dimension, a weight, a type, and a volume of said kitchen equipment; and wherein said kitchen equipment comprises at least a cookware or a vessel.
 17. The Method of claim 16 further comprising the steps for executing a trigger or alert to notify a user of a hazardous condition based on at least one of, a gas leakage, a concentration of vapors beyond a trigger value, a burner switched on without any actual cooking operation, overflowing liquids, and browning or burning of food.
 18. The Method of claim 16 further comprising the steps for executing a trigger or alert to notify a user that a pre-configured optimal cooking or heating time duration of a cooking or heating operation for a predetermined food or recipe is completed.
 19. The Method of claim 18 further comprising the steps for resetting or amending said trigger or alert notification for said cooking or heating time duration of said cooking or heating operations of said predetermined food or recipe.
 20. The Method of claim 18, in which said singular or plurality of sensors include at least one of, a heat sensor, a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion detection sensor, a gas sensor, and an imaging receiver that is configured to determine a current state of said cooking or heating operation. 